job purpose: The Quality Project Manager will report to the Director of Operations Readiness and Execution and will be responsible for ensuring that quality workstreams are delivered effectively for all large capital projects. This includes quality lab design & fit out, building utility coordination, state and federal requirement management, quality process design, product acceptance testing.
responsibilities: - Partner with Quality and Operations teams to ensure engineering designs, plans, and timelines meet requirements and act as main liaison between project and quality teams
- Lead the design of quality labs, lab equipment, and building utility requirements for greenfield and plant expansion projects
- Ensure all lab equipment is installed, calibrated, tested in accordance with project timelines to support line validations
- Manage validation, commissioning runs, and filing process for the FDA with our Process Authority (PA)
- Develop and maintain budgets, timelines, and risk registers for all projects
- Manage all state inspections and equipment sealing activities
- Coordinate all product acceptance plans during flavor trials, including sensory testing, analytical chemistry (particle dispersion, viscosity, micro, composition), and external lab sampling
- Create and roll out training plan for quality systems and enablers
- Develop process maps for all quality processes from milk receiving to finished goods testing
- Plan and conduct CIP validations to ensure equipment cleaning processes are working effectively
- Represent the quality function during design stages to ensure food safety and quality standards are met
skills/qualifications required: - Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, or related field
- Exceptional project management capabilities
- Expert in using MS Excel, AutoCad, and MS Project
- Demonstrated knowledge of quality systems, lab equipment (e.g., LECCO, ash oven, FOSS, etc...), food safety and quality standards, and standard audit practices
- Experience working in value added dairy or related field
- Strong cost management and forecasting experience and knowledge
food safety requirements: - Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
- Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
- Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
- Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
- Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
- Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
- In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.
how fairlife nourishes you: At fairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and well-being resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
- Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
- Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
- Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
- Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
- 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
- Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
- Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
- Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
- Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
- Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
- Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups
fairlife's nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.
position location: Coopersville, MI, Webster, NY, or Chicago, IL
reports to: Director, Large Capital Projects
travel requirements: Up to 50% depending on location
exempt/nonexempt: exempt
*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.
Base pay range:
$125,000-$140,000 USD
For Recruitment Agencies At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.
As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.
Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions. 
